ONE Championship ends talks with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou after ‘careful reflection’
- Chatri Sityodtong says he spoke with Ngannou last weekend for ‘almost 3 hours’ to discuss a final offer
- ‘I didn’t feel Francis and I were fully aligned on non-financial matters. It is nothing personal,’ ONE boss tells the Post
ONE Championship will not be signing Francis Ngannou after all.
Chatri Sityodtong – the martial arts promotion’s chairman and CEO – met the former UFC heavyweight champion in Los Angeles at the weekend to discuss a final offer.
Singapore-based ONE is set to stage its first on-ground US event on Friday in Denver, Colorado. The possibility of Ngannou making an appearance at 1stBank Centre seemed likely, after Chatri had previously told fans to expect “big news shortly” last week.
But talks with the free agent proved fruitless, and ONE has ended its pursuit of his signature.
“I met with Francis yesterday for almost 3 hours,” Chatri told the Post via text message on Monday. “ONE has decided to withdraw from the process of bidding for Francis Ngannou’s services.
“After careful reflection, we decided not to submit our final offer. Francis is a good guy and a good champion. I wish him continued success and happiness.
“At the end of the day, I didn’t feel Francis and I were fully aligned on non-financial matters. It is nothing personal. It is just a lack of alignment.”
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The 36-year-old Cameroonian-Frenchman became a free agent in January after letting his UFC contract expire, despite still holding the Las Vegas-based MMA promotion’s heavyweight title.
Ngannou (professional MMA record 17-3) has attracted interest from several other big combat sports organisations, and has long expressed his desire to compete in a big-money boxing bout against Tyson Fury.
Bellator president Scott Coker and Bare Knuckle FC chief David Feldman have both seemingly questioned his financial demands, however.
“The Predator” said last month he was in “serious” talks with Singapore-based ONE, as well as the US-based Professional Fighters League – who are reportedly confident of landing his signature.
Ngannou last fought in the UFC in January 2022, but the promotion’s president Dana White claimed he turned down a new multi-bout contract worth US$8 million to fight Jon Jones, who claimed the vacant title in March.
“We’ve been in discussions,” Chatri had told Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour last week, regarding Ngannou. “I like Francis, he brings a lot to the table, but he’ll have a tough time in our heavyweight division, to be frank, which I’ve said publicly.
“For sure, ONE can give him the biggest offer on the table out of all of his bids but it has to work for him and for us. I just believe meeting somebody, you get the energy. I think there’s gonna be big news on Francis shortly, and I think he’s taking his time.
“From the few interactions I’ve had with him, he’s very thoughtful and methodical and careful, and at same time he’s a very principled man. A dollar here or there won’t sway him, it’s principles, that’s what’s very admirable about him.”
